Two touchdowns, two interceptions, and two field goals were among the memorable plays in the second San Jose State University preseason football scrimmage.
Inside CEFCU Stadium, Home of the Spartans, where San Jose State hosts Southern Utah on August 28 in the season opener for both teams, for the second consecutive Saturday, quarterback Natano Woods and wide receiver Terence Loville teamed up for a long touchdown play. Loville caught a Woods pass in the middle of the field, raced to the right side, and turned up field to the end zone for a 52-yard scoring play. A week ago at Humboldt State, the Woods-Loville tandem connected for a 75-yard touchdown.
The offense's first touchdown came on a 1-yard pass from Walker Eget to outside receiver Jamar Simpson who handled the ball five times. Simpson caught four passes for 78 yards and a touchdown and had one carry for nine yards.
Nick Starkel opened at quarterback for the offense. He was 3-of-5 for 65 yards and was intercepted in the end zone by safety Jay Lenard.
Woods, Eget and Matt Der Torossian divided the rest of the snaps during the 51-play scrimmage. Woods completed his first seven passes finishing 9-of-13 for 151 yards without an interception. Eget also was on target early en route competing 4-of-7 without an interception for 59 yards. Der Torossian was 2-of-4 and was intercepted by Tre White on a deflected pass.
Tyler Nevens had his first weekend scrimmage action of the preseason turning in the longest run of the afternoon with a 24-yard carry. University of Illinois transfer Kenyon Sims was the leading rusher in the scrimmage again with six rushes for 33 yards.
Kickers Matt Mercurio and Taren Schive each converted a field goal of over 40 yards. Mercurio was good from 42 yards. Schive missed his first try from 44 and came right back to split the uprights from the same distance.
Punters Will Hart with a 54.0-yard average on two tries and a coffin corner attempt that landed at the 9-yard line and Travis Benham whose inside the 20 punt reached the 6-yard line opened the scrimmage. Benham averaged 43.5 yards on his two punts.
Besides its two interceptions, the defense continued to apply pressure up front and had three sacks – one each by E.J. Ane, Soane Toia, and Sinjun Astani.
The Spartans' opener vs. Southern Utah is a 7:00 p.m. contest in CEFCU Stadium. Season tickets are available by visiting https://am.ticketmaster.com/sjsuathletics/21football or by calling 408-924-7589.
Scoring Summary
Jamar Simpson, 1-yard pass from Walker Eget (Matt Mercurio PAT)
Terence Loville, 52-yard pass from Natano Woods (Taren Schive PAT)
Scrimmage Statistics
Rushing (22-57-0 TDs)
Kenyon Sims, 6-33; Tyler Nevens, 2-24; Jamar Simpson, 1-9; Kairee Robinson, 3-5; Nick Starkel, 1-4; Matt Der Torossian, 1-2; Jakai Torres, 2-1; Brendan Manigo, 1-(-5); Walker Eget, 1-(-7); Natano Woods, 4-(-9).
Passing (18-29-2-307 yards-2 TDs)
Nick Starkel, 3-5-1-65 yards; Natano Woods, 9-13-0-151 yards-1 TD; Walker Eget, 4-7-0-59 yards-1 TD; Matt Der Torossian, 2-4-1-32 yards.
Receiving (18-307 yards, 2 TDs)
Jamar Simpson, 4-78-1 TD; Terence Loville, 3-79-1 TD; Malikhi Miller, 2-50; Dominick Mazotti, 2-32; Isaiah Hamilton, 1-29; Brendan Manigo, 1-16; Kairee Robinson, 1-10; Derrick Deese, Jr., 1-5; Steven Houston, 1-4; Charles Ross, 1-3; Billy Bob Humphreys, 1-1.
Interceptions (2)
Jay Lenard, Tre White, 1, each.
Quarterback sacks (3)
Soane Toia, E.J. Ane, Sinjun Astani, 1 each.
Punting (4-48.7 avg.)
Will Hart, 2-54.0 avg; Travis Benham, 2-43.5 avg.
Field Goals (2-of-3)
Matt Mercurio, 42, good. Taren Schive, 44, no good; 44, good.
